Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers, arrived in America. Her teachings emphasizing celibacy, communal living, and spiritual experiences formed the core of Shaker beliefs.

Shaker communities spread across the northeastern United States, including the community in Harvard, Massachusetts, where Tabitha Babbitt would later reside. These communities were known for their self-sufficiency, craftsmanship, and unique worship practices.

Tabitha Babbitt became a member of the Harvard Shaker community. This decision shaped the course of her life, providing her with a framework for her faith, work, and community involvement.

The Shaker emphasis on hard work, efficiency, and communal benefit likely fostered Tabitha Babbitt's inventive spirit. Her inventions were directly related to improving the community's productivity and self-sufficiency.

The Shaker communities gradually declined in the late 19th and 20th centuries due to celibacy and changing societal norms. However, their contributions to American craftsmanship, design, and social reform continue to be recognized.